Each year the Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education recognizes students who have chosen to study specific programs based on interests and abilities, rather than traditional gender roles, with the aptly named “Breaking Traditions Award.” Nominees for the award contribute by creating more awareness of and support for all non-traditional students and programs.

During the next few weeks, mailboxes will be stuffed with Christmas catalogs and shopping guides vying for attention this holiday season. They will shine and sparkle with pretty items that range from the useful to the useless. But what if, in the season of giving, individual’s generosity is the gift of opportunity to learn or to explore?

At Tulsa Tech, we encourage each student to “make your own path” and discover the unique journey that will lead to success. For some students, that path leads to Tulsa Tech’s Career Academy, a unique program that helps students reconnect with their educational goals.

Over 3.5 million professional trucks drivers accounted for 70 percent of the nation’s domestic freight tonnage in 2015, collecting $726 billion in gross freight revenues, according to a recent analysis published by the American Trucking Association. However, even with these record-setting numbers, there is still one problem facing the industry; professional trucking companies do not have enough qualified drivers to meet their growing demand.

The Kingston Trio, the American folk and pop music group that launched the folk revival of the late 1950s to the early 1960s, will present “Holiday Cheers” at the Will Rogers High School Auditorium, 3909 E. 5th Pl. in Tulsa on Saturday, Dec. 17 at 2 p.m., sponsored by the Will Rogers High School Community Foundation.

For over 50 years, the state’s oldest and largest CareerTech institution has provided quality technical education to thousands of high school and adult students. Each day, Tulsa Tech helps students make their own path and begin their individual journey toward a successful career.

Mykaela Jones and Zach Fowler recently received the Larry Stone Award for their overall contributions, teamwork and citizenship as athletes at Eastern Oklahoma State College. The award is named after the late Larry Stone who played football and baseball at Eastern in the early 1960s. Presenting the award are Stone’s siblings Sherri Stone Frederick, far left, and Terry Stone, second from right, and Eastern alumnus and former teammate Dr. Henry Migliore,far right.

The Tulsa StartUp Series named Spring Noodles the winner of the Food/Retail Live Pitch Series held July 20 at 36 Degrees North. Spring Noodles is a healthy alternative for quick service restaurants with an Asian style noodle bar.

The School of Nursing in the University of Tulsa’s Oxley College of Health Sciences will launch a doctor of nursing practice (DNP) degree program beginning in January 2017. The program is designed to equip nursing professionals with education and clinical experiences to manage care and lead change within a dynamic healthcare environment. TU is one of only three universities in the state of Oklahoma to offer a DNP program.

The Northeastern State University College of Business and Technology was recently named among the Most Affordable Business Schools 2016 by College Choice, a leading authority in college and university rankings and resources. NSU is ranked number 29 of the 30 schools that made the list.

This summer, Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) members from across the country gathered in San Diego to network with fellow students, attend program workshops and leadership sessions, and compete in events related to their careers.